Compact, self supporting and folding equipment access assembly

Abstract

A compact, self-supporting, folding equipment access assembly including a platform including a proximal end and a distal end, a support section extending outwardly from the proximal end of the platform, the support section including a pair of spaced jaws configured to engage the bumper of a military vehicle. A hanging step is hingedly attached to the distal end of the platform, the step deployable to a position extending downward and outward from the platform and also foldable upward to a storage position adjacent the platform.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A compact, self-supporting, folding equipment access assembly comprising: 
 a platform including a proximal end and a distal end;    a support section extending outwardly from the proximal end of the platform, the support section including a pair of spaced jaws configured to engage the bumper of a military vehicle; and    a hanging step hingedly attached to the distal end of the platform, the step deployable to a stopped position extending downward and outward from the platform and also foldable upward to a storage position adjacent the platform.    
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1  in which the platform includes a frame supporting a mesh portion thereon.  
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1  in which the support section includes a frame, the jaws being attached to the frame.  
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1  in which the jaws each have a downward facing opening for engaging the upper portion of the bumper.  
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1  in which the step is U-shaped including two spaced side members and a lower bar extending between the two spaced side members.  
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1  in which the platform includes a downwardly depending stop for the hanging, hingedly attached step in the deployed position.  
     
     
         7 . A compact, self-supporting equipment access assembly comprising: 
 a platform including a proximal end and a distal end; and    a support section extending outwardly from the proximal end of the platform, the support section including a pair of spaced jaws configured to engage the bumper of a vehicle such that the platform is supported by the support section in a cantilevered manner.    
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 7  further including a hanging step hingedly attached to the distal end of the platform, the step deployable to a position extending downward from the platform and also foldable upward to a storage position adjacent the platform.  
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 7  in which the platform includes a frame supporting a mesh portion thereon.  
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 7  in which the support section includes a frame, the jaws being attached to the frame.  
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 7  in which the jaws each have a downward facing opening for engaging the upper portion of the bumper.  
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 8  in which the step is U-shaped including two spaced side members and a lower bar extending between the two spaced side members.  
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 8  in which the platform includes a downwardly depending stop for the hanging, hingedly attached step in the deployed position.  
     
     
         14 . A compact, self-supporting, folding equipment access assembly comprising: 
 a platform including a proximal end and a distal end;    a support section extending from the proximal end of the platform supporting the platform in a cantilevered manner; and    a step attached to the distal end of the platform, the platform supporting the step in a cantilevered manner.    
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 14  in which the platform includes a frame supporting a mesh portion thereon.  
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 14  in which the support section includes a pair of spaced jaws configured to engage the bumper of a military vehicle.  
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 16  in which the support section includes a frame, the jaws being attached to the frame.  
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 16  in which the jaws each have a downward facing opening for engaging the upper portion of the bumper.  
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 14  in which the step is hingedly attached to the platform, the step deployable to a position extending downward and outward from the frame and also foldable upward to a storage position adjacent the platform.  
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 1  in which the step is U-shaped including two spaced side members and a lower bar extending between the two spaced side members.  
     
     
         21 . The assembly of  claim 19  in which the platform includes a downwardly depending stop for the hanging, hingedly attached step in the deployed position.